Creamy Black Bean Soup

Don't let the picture sway you from this recipe. It is fabulous. This recipe tastes very much like Panera's black bean soup. It has just enough spice to give it a little kick. It's hearty and has lots of flavor.




Ingredients:
1 cup medium onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups chicken broth
3 (15-oz.) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes with zesty mild green chiles, undrained
1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon lime juice

Directions:
1. Sauté onion and garlic in a large soup pot over medium-high heat until tender.
2. Stir in broth, beans, tomatoes, chili powder, and cumin.
3. Cover and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring
occasionally, 8 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro and lime juice. Let cool 5 minutes.
4. Process soup, in batches, in a blender or food processor 30 seconds or until smooth. Return
to soup pot, and stir until blended. Serve with desired toppings such as cheddar cheese, sour cream, or tortilla strips.

Yield: 8 cups